Biathlon: Franziska Preuss among the favourites at the Worlds
The Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) kick off on Wednesday with the mixed relay. In the canton of Graubünden, all the world’s best biathletes will be expected, but one name in particular will be one to watch.
Currently leader of the overall World Cup standings ahead of France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, Franziska Preuss is one of the favourites to win medals in the nine events on the programme. In Antholz (Italy), the last stop on the circuit, the German was again on the podium. This should give her plenty of confidence ahead of her specific preparations for the World Championships.
“The week in Antholz went exactly as planned. I was able to work on a few more details in training, regenerate well and enjoy the sunshine,” she told her federation. I also hope I’ve got the energy I need for the competitions to come. Overall, I’m very satisfied with my preparation.
“The important thing for me is to approach the races with a certain degree of relaxation”.Franziska Preuss on behalf of her federation
Ready for battle, the 30-year-old biathlete is now hoping to win her first individual world title. To date, she has only won the title once, in the relay at Kontiolahti (Finland) in 2015. That same year, she won silver in the mass start. Since then, Simon Schempp’s partner has never managed to get onto the podium on her own.
My approach has always been that if you can get on the podium in the World Cup, it’s also a realistic goal to do so in the World Championships,” she says. I’m happy with the successes I’ve had this winter and I hope to be able to continue in the same vein. The important thing for me is to approach the races in a relaxed manner and to give it my all.
In Switzerland, Franziska Preuss is also hoping to stand out on a track that she spotted again during her summer preparations. “The course has a lot of one-stroke sections that I’ve already prepared for in a targeted manner. I think the work I’ve done on endurance has paid off,” she adds. The atmosphere is very special. The view is breathtaking and gives off an incredible positive energy. I’m really looking forward to it!
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